Jefferson R-7 Superintendent Clint Johnston speaks with some of the people attending a vigil Dec. 22 in memory of a 6-year-old student killed Dec. 21after being hit by a school bus.
About 200 people attended a candlelight vigil held Wednesday (Dec. 22) at Plattin Primary School south of Festus to honor a Jefferson R-7 School District first-grade student who was struck and killed by a school bus on Tuesday afternoon (Dec. 21).
The 6-year-old boy attended Plattin Primary.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the incident occurred at about 3:15 p.m. on Oakland Hills Drive near Oakland Woods Drive in the Oakland Manor subdivision south of Festus.
After the boy was dropped off, he was crossing in front of the 2000 Bluebird school bus when he was struck by the bus, which was driven by a 61-year-old man. Joachim-Plattin Ambulance District personnel pronounced the child dead at the scene.
Wednesday’s vigil was organized by Chad Smith, pastor of Cross Point Church in Festus and a resident of the school district. He said his children attended school with the boy. “My wife, Lisa, and I decided to do this, this morning,” Smith said.
Smith told those assembled to support the child’s family, the bus driver and the first responders who worked the accident. “Do not let division come between our community,” he said.
Smith also works as a tow truck driver and parked his truck at the parking lot to display an American flag.
Representatives of the Jefferson R-7 Fire District and Joachim-Plattin Ambulance District attended the gathering, bringing a fire truck and an ambulance.
“It’s hard on everybody,” R-7 Fire Chief Mark Earls said. “We’re part of the community. It was important for us to come out.”
A memorial has been growing at Plattin Primary school south of Festus in honor of a first grader who was killed Dec. 21 in a school-bus accident.
R-7 Superintendent Clint Johnston said the accident occurred after the last day of school before Christmas vacation. Counselors are available during the Christmas break and when classes resume Jan. 5 at Plattin Primary for students and community members.
A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise funds for the boy’s family to cover funeral expenses, and as of 11 a.m. today, $39,400 had been raised. To donate, go to https://www.gofundme.com/.../help-damons-parents-properly...